Student Strategies
Instead of taking away this period, it is suggested to keep it in the schedule to help manage hyperactivity.
What is recess or physical education?
Children with ADHD cannot focus on anything for long periods of time.
False:
Students with ADHD can focus intensely on tasks that interest them, so the challenge is regulating attention across less engaging activities.
One of the three core characteristics of ADHD, often shown as difficulty focusing or following through on tasks.
What is inattention?
Being patient and empathetic helps teachers better support students with ADHD.
True:
Understanding ADHD helps teachers be "more tolerant, patient, and empathetic."
Using a chart with happy/sad faces for a student to rate their own behavior multiple times a day.
What is a self-monitoring system?
Girls with ADHD usually show the same symptoms as boys.
False:
Girls are more likely to display only inattention, while boys tend to show all three core characteristics.
Children with ADHD may exhibit this physical symptom, such as being constantly “on the go” or fidgeting excessively.
What is hyperactivity?
Incorporating student interests into lessons can increase focus and engagement for students with ADHD.
True:
Tapping into their interests helps students to regulate attention and engage longer.
The practice of allowing a student to stand or walk briefly during a task without reducing their work time.
What is "time off the clock"?
Students with ADHD often have average or above-average intelligence.
True:
Many children with ADHD have at least average intelligence and unique strengths such as creativity and curiosity.
Students with ADHD may struggle with this brain-based skill set that acts like an “orchestra conductor” for planning and behavior.
What is executive functioning
Involving humor during interactions with students distracts those with ADHD.
False:
Responsiveness, warmth, and humor are teacher characteristics linked to positive outcomes for students with ADHD.
A technique where only one part of an assignment is shown at a time to prevent overwhelming students.
What is masking an assignment?
Providing extra time to complete work is an effective way to support students with ADHD.
False:
Extra time alone may prolong the difficulty of sustaining attention, whereas chunking tasks with movement breaks is more effective.
A challenge in this cognitive area can make it hard for students to remember what they read or follow multi-step directions.
What is working memory?
Using written assessments is the fairest way to evaluate students with ADHD.
False:
Alternative assessment formats like oral reports, drawings, or performances to demonstrate understanding support students with ADHD.
This type of language is clearer for students with ADHD than asking a question.
What is declarative language or direct instruction?
ADHD is genetically passed down from parents to children.
False:
ADHD is a not determined by just genetics, and having a genetic predisposition does not guarantee a child will have it.
Students with ADHD might become easily distracted, overly talkative, or have trouble taking turns, which are examples of challenges in this area.
What is social/behavioral regulation?
Delayed gratification is an effective strategy for motivating students with ADHD.
False:
Those with executive functioning challenges respond well to small, immediate feedback as forms of motivation.